CAF Champions League

Result: Al Ahly 0-3 Pirates

Date: 4 August 2013

Venue: El Gouna Stadium

Orlando Pirates thumped 10-man Al Ahly 3-0 in their CAF Champions League clash on Sunday afternoon, leaving the defending champions at the bottom of Group A while Pirates moved top.

Thandani Ntshumayelo tucked away the opening goal in the 12 minute and although the Egyptian side earned a penalty, Senzo Meyiwa ensured that Pirates remained in the lead.

Pirates played with a strong gust from behind them in the first period, which resulted in a few wayward pass from both sides in the opening few minutes while there was a noticeable silence with the game being behind closed doors.

Ahmed Shokry attempted a long range strike which sailed wide of the goal in the ninth minute and just three minutes later Collins Mbesuma slipped a pass through for Ntshumayelo who calmly fired a low finish past the goalkeeper.

Lucky Lekgwathi then had to clear off the line at the other end after a goalmouth scramble while Mbesuma thumped a venomous free-kick just off target with the wind adding extra power to his effort.

Daine Klate wasted another free-kick minutes later which came off the top of the wall while the goalkeeper was almost deceived at the resulting corner as the wind almost curled the ball into the goal.

Al Ahly would get a great chance to equalise in the 36th minute though as Andile Jali recklessly flew in to try and intercept a cross to the far post and the referee pointed to the spot. Meyiwa, though, made a superb save to keep out Waleed Soliman's effort.

Five minutes of injury time was added but Pirates were firm in defence. Al Ahly would suffer a blow just before the half-time whistle though as a poor challenge from Ahmed Zaher on Lekgwathi saw him earn his second yellow card, leaving the hosts with just 10 men for the entire second half.

Pirates went on the attack from the start in the second period and saw Mbesuma just miss out on a cross from Daine Klate six minutes in.

Mbesuma was then then saw the goalkeeper cut out a throughball from Klate soon after while Meyiwa had to make a good save in the 61st minute.

Ndumiso Mabena and Lennox Bacela had been introduced for the Sea Robbers and the latter almost made a quick impact but a cross in was just behind him and squirted wide off of a defender. Mabena had earlier seen his diving header scrambled clear in the 67th minute.

The South Africans would finally see their pressure pay off in the 72nd minute though as Klate was hacked down by Fathy inside the area and Jali calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.

The second goal calmed their nerves and just three minutes later Jali lofted a superb pass over the top for Myeni who touched the ball past the goalkeeper and poked home.

Bacela swept a shot against the crossbar two minutes later after another swift attack from the visitors while Meyiwa was worked again with two minutes to go as Al Ahly looked for some consolation.

Pirates knocked the ball around to see out the final few minutes though and stormed to the top of Group A after AC Leopards won 1-0 at home to Zamalek.

This is how they line up:

Pirates: Senzo Meyiwa, Happy Jele, Thabo Matlaba, Rooi Mahamutsa, Lucky Lekgwathi, Andile Jali, Thandani Ntshumayelo, Oupa Manyisa, Sifiso Myeni, Daine Klate, Collins Mbesuma.